Ice-fishing wish granted to terminally ill man, brother

Thanks to a nonprofit organization that grants wishes to terminally ill adults, a pair of Minnesota brothers recently spent a weekend ice fishing together on Gull Lake in Nisswa, KARE 11 reports.

The trip was made possible after John Ashton approached the organization My Bucket List with his idea of spending one last fishing outing with his brother, Tom Ashton.

According to KARE 11, the brothers were both diagnosed with lung cancer three years ago – but while John's cancer went into remission, Tom's spread to his brain.

When asked why he sought out the wish, John Ashton said, "'Cause I love my brother. What other reason?"

"He's a good guy – takes care of me," Tom Ashton said.

The Tri-County News of Kimball said My Bucket List was started last year by Tom "Rudy" Ruether, who read a story about a Hillman, Minnesota, woman who started a "bucket list" of things to do before she died.

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After he offered his cabin to the woman for a free weekend stay, Ruether decided to join forces with friends, acquaintances and even strangers to form a nonprofit organization to grant more wishes.

Today, more than 300 people belong to My Bucket List's "Bucket Brigade," which doesn't solicit money or funds, but instead uses a network of resources and volunteers to fulfill terminally ill adults' wishes.

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"So many people want to join the Bucket Brigade. The response has been overwhelming," Ruether told the Tri-County News.

The nonprofit has a website where people can apply to have wishes granted, and a Facebook page where the group posts updates.

Organizers of the 22nd Annual Brainerd Jaycees $150,000 Ice Fishing Extravaganza had to postpone the event last month because of thin ice conditions on Gull Lake. The Star Tribune reports more than 10,000 anglers took part in the event this weekend.